Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Postinfusion Fever: Infection Profile, Clinical Parameters, and Biomarkers Trends to Assist Antibiotic Stewardship.

Background: This study aimed to describe documented infections associated with postinfusion fever after CAR T-cell therapy and to evaluate daily changes in vital signs, laboratory results, and the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) in patients with and without confirmed bacterial infections following fever onset, with the objective of assisting in antibiotic stewardship.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational study including all consecutive adult patients who received CAR T-cell therapy. Documented infection in the first fever episode after infusion, and clinical and analytic trend comparison of patients with bacterial documented infections and those without documented infections, are described.

Extended remdesivir administration in haematological patients with malignancies and COVID-19 during the Omicron era: safety and outcomes.

Objectives: To describe the management of haematological patients experiencing prolonged SARS-CoV-2 viral shedding, as the optimal management strategy for this condition remains undetermined.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective evaluation of our prospectively followed cohort of haematological patients treated with remdesivir for more than 10 days. Starting January 2023, upon COVID-19 diagnosis, the treatment strategy was based on symptoms and PCR cycle threshold (Ct) as follows: (i) when Ct was 25 or less or if the patient had symptoms, a course of remdesivir for at least 10 days, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for 5 days (whenever possible) and convalescent plasma was administered; and (ii) when the patient was asymptomatic and had a PCR Ct of more than 25, when possible, a course of 5 days of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was administered.

Real-Life Comparison of Antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection in Patients With Hematologic Malignancies.

Background: We aimed to describe a cohort of hematologic patients with COVID-19 treated with antivirals early.

Methods: Non-interventional chart review study. Comparison of baseline characteristics and outcomes in high-risk hematologic patients treated with remdesivir between December 2021 and April 2022 versus those treated with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir between May and August 2022.

Improving management of febrile neutropenia in oncology patients: the role of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have the potential to revolutionize the management of febrile neutropenia (FN) and drive progress toward personalized medicine.

Areas Covered: In this review, we detail how the collection of a large number of high-quality data can be used to conduct precise mathematical studies with ML and AI. We explain the foundations of these techniques, covering the fundamentals of supervised and unsupervised learning, as well as the most important challenges, e.

The Etiology, Antibiotic Therapy and Outcomes of Bacteremic Skin and Soft-Tissue Infections in Onco-Hematological Patients.

Objectives: to assess the current epidemiology, antibiotic therapy and outcomes of onco- hematological patients with bacteremic skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs), and to identify the risk factors for Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) infection and for early and overall mortality.

Methods: episodes of bacteremic SSTIs occurring in cancer patients at two hospitals were prospectively recorded and retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Of 164 episodes of bacteremic SSTIs, 53% occurred in patients with solid tumors and 47% with hematological malignancies.

Infection epidemiology in relation to different therapy phases in patients with haematological malignancies receiving CAR T-cell therapy.

Background: We described the real-life epidemiology and causes of infections on the different therapy phases in patients undergoing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells directed towards CD19+ or BCMA+ cells.

Methods: All consecutive patients receiving CAR T-cell therapy at our institution were prospectively followed-up. We performed various comparative analyses of all patients and subgroups with and without infections.

Epidemiology and risk factors for recurrence in biliary source bloodstream infection episodes in oncological patients.

We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcomes of biliary source bloodstream infections (BSIs) in oncological patients. Secondarily, we analyzed risk factors for recurrent BSI episodes. All episodes of biliary source BSIs in oncological patients were prospectively collected (2008-2019) and retrospectively analyzed.

Multiplex real-time PCR FilmArray performance in the diagnosis of meningoencephalitis: lights and shadows.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the performance of the FilmArray (FA) meningitis/encephalitis (ME) panel. Secondarily, we analyzed the false positive (FP) and false negative (FN) results, as well as the predictive values of the technique, regarding the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics.

Methods: FA is a multiplex real-time PCR detecting 14 of the most common ME pathogens in CSF.

Breakthrough invasive fungal infection among patients with haematologic malignancies: A national, prospective, and multicentre study.

Objectives: We describe the current epidemiology, causes, and outcomes of breakthrough invasive fungal infections (BtIFI) in patients with haematologic malignancies.

Methods: BtIFI in patients with ≥ 7 days of prior antifungals were prospectively diagnosed (36 months across 13 Spanish hospitals) according to revised EORTC/MSG definitions.

Results: 121 episodes of BtIFI were documented, of which 41 (33.

Current outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant infection in high-risk haematological patients treated early with antivirals.

Objectives: We aimed to describe the clinical outcomes and duration of viral shedding in high-risk patients with haematological malignancies hospitalized with COVID-19 during Omicron variant predominance who received early treatment with antivirals.

Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study on high-risk haematological patients admitted in our hospital between December 2021 and March 2022. We performed detection techniques on viral subgenomic mRNAs until negative results were obtained to document active, prolonged viral replication.

Bloodstream Infection, Resistance, and Mortality: Do Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Do Better or Worse?

Background: The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance of () in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is higher than that of the general population. However, the literature supporting this statement is scarce. Identifying patients at risk of carbapenem resistance (CR) is of great importance, as CR strains more often receive inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy, which is independently associated with mortality in bloodstream infections (BSIs).

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 viral load and duration of symptoms before hospital admission on the mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Purpose: Assess the impact of viral load estimated by cycle threshold (Ct) of reverse transcription real time-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and the days from symptoms onset on mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID19.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of 782 patients with a positive rRT-PCR from a nasopharyngeal swab was performed within the first 24 h from admission. Demographic data, clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters were collected.

Clinical Presentation and Outcome of COVID-19 in a Latin American Versus Spanish Population: Matched Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Increased mortality has been reported in the Latin American population. The objective is to compare the clinical characteristics and outcome of Latin American and Spanish populations in a cohort of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed all the Latin American patients (born in South or Central America) hospitalized in our centre from February 2020 to February 2021 and compared them with an age- and gender-matched group of Spanish subjects.

Resistance to empirical β-lactams recommended in febrile neutropenia guidelines in Gram-negative bacilli bloodstream infections in Spain: a multicentre study.

Objectives: To describe current resistance to the β-lactams empirically recommended in the guidelines in bloodstream infection (BSI) episodes caused by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB).

Methods: Retrospective, multicentre cohort study of the last 50 BSI episodes in haematological patients across 14 university hospitals in Spain. Rates of inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy (IEAT) and impact on mortality were evaluated.

C-reactive protein cut-off for early tocilizumab and dexamethasone prescription in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Dexamethasone and tocilizumab have been associated with reduction in mortality, however, the beneficial effect is not for all patients and the impact on viral replication is not well defined. We hypostatized that C-reactive protein (CRP) could help in the identification of patients requiring anti-inflammatory therapy. Patients admitted for > 48 h in our hospital for a confirmed or suspected infection by SARS-CoV-2 from February 2020 to February 2021 were retrospectively evaluated.